embezzle

verb

em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbe-zəl How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
em-
embezzled; embezzling im-ˈbe-zə-liŋ How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
-ˈbez-liŋ,
em-

transitive verb

: to appropriate (something, such as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
embezzled thousands of dollars
embezzlement noun
embezzler
im-ˈbe-zə-lər How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
em-
-ˈbez-lər
noun

Did you know?

English is full of verbs that mean “to steal” (such as pilfer, rob, swipe, plunder, filch, and thieve). But when it comes to stealing property (and in this context, money is a kind of property) that has been entrusted to you, embezzle wins the prize. The word most often refers to theft of company or government funds that one has charge of, and embezzlement is therefore a hallmark of white-collar crime—that is, crime committed by so-called “white-collar” workers. In the 15th century, around the time that embezzlement entered English (the ultimate root is Anglo-French besiller “to steal, plunder”), it would have also been possible to say that such plunderers “bezzled” company cash, but bezzle is now considered obsolete.

Examples of embezzle in a Sentence

He was caught embezzling money from his clients. He was convicted of embezzling.
Recent Examples on the Web That's supported by a filing in Waukesha County Circuit Court by John Wirth, the receiver overseeing the company's liquidation, that said an employee had embezzled more than $500,000 from the company. Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 The entrepreneur’s rags-to-riches story took a dark turn in 2004 when he was charged with tax evasion and embezzling company funds. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2024 According to court records, the women plotted to embezzle funds from WFYI Public Media into their personal checking accounts. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Feb. 2024 Kwiatkowski pleaded guilty in December to one count of embezzling $100,000 or more. Detroit Free Press, 7 Feb. 2024 In that case, Navalny was found guilty of fraud after he and his brother Oleg were accused of embezzling 30 million rubles ($540,000) from a Russian subsidiary of French cosmetics company Yves Rocher. Laura Smith-Spark, CNN, 16 Feb. 2024 Twelve years later, Brown was sentenced to two consecutive prison terms for selling cocaine and embezzling from a charity. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Saldivar allegedly killed Selena after the singer learned Saldivar had been embezzling money from her clothing boutiques. Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2024 The jewelry was one case in Erika and Tom's ongoing legal battles after they were sued for allegedly embezzling settlement funds meant to help the families of victims on Lion Air Flight 610 in December 2020. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'embezzle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English embesilen, from Anglo-French embesiller to make away with, from en- + besiller to steal, plunder

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of embezzle was in the 15th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near embezzle

Cite this Entry

“Embezzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embezzle. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

embezzle

verb
em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbez-əl How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
embezzled; embezzling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
: to take (property entrusted to one's care) dishonestly for one's own use
embezzled thousands of dollars
embezzlement noun
embezzler noun

Legal Definition

embezzle

transitive verb
em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbe-zəl How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
embezzled; embezzling
: to convert (property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use compare defalcate
embezzlement noun
embezzler noun
Etymology

Anglo-French embeseiller to make away with, from en-, prefix stressing completion + beseller to snatch, misappropriate, from Old French, to destroy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!